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FRONTIER COUNTRY - EASTERN CAPE
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Frontier Country, Eastern Cape: A
hauntingly beautiful region, arguably the crucible of South African history, Frontier
Country is a vibrant mix of all the best that Africa has to offer. One of the premier
tourist routes in the Eastern
Cape, it has a turbulent past, with more forts than the rest of South Africa combined. Now no longer
the scene of conflict and strife, Frontier Country is the historic heartland of the
Eastern Cape and embodies the spirit of the many and varied cultures who met here and made
their mark - Khoi, Xhosa, Boer and British. They brought with them a rich heritage that
can still be seen today in towns and villages all over the Eastern Cape.
With Grahamstown at its centre, Frontier Country is one of the most diverse ecological
regions in South Africa, with a
variety of biomes that provide unspoilt and spectacular scenery. Thousands of hectares are
devoted to nature and game conservation, bringing with them the return of great herds of
wildlife to the places where they once roamed freely. This malaria-free region is fast
gaining local and international popularity for excellent game-viewing with a variety of
private reserves which include the Big Five. |
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FRONTIER COUNTRY DESTINATIONS
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  Addo: Completely
overshadowed by the world-renowned Addo Elephant Park, there is actually a little town
about an hour’s drive from Port Elizabeth,
called Addo. This small citrus farming community serves mainly as a supplement to the
park, offering accommodation and a place to shop before ... more » Addo Info |
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 Alicedale: Situated in
the Bushman's River Canyon in the Eastern Cape, Alicedale is 50 kilometres from
Grahamstown and 100 kilometers from Port Elizabeth.
Surrounded by valley bushveld, the town exhibits a rich multi-cultural heritage, from
ancient Bushman paintings to the Victorian Karoo flavour ... more » Alicedale Info |
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 Alexandria lies en route to Bushman’s River Mouth and Kenton-on-Sea
just 50 kilometres from Port Alfred, roughly halfway between Durban and Cape Town. It is
described as a friendly farming community that sustains itself from chicory, dairy and
pineapple plantations ... more » Alexandria Info |
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 Bathurst: Bathurst is
situated on the fringes of both the Sunshine Coast and Frontier Country, a half hour drive from Grahamstown or 10 minutes
from Port
Alfred. Halfway between Port
Elizabeth and East London, Bathurst is a short 10 minutes from Port Alfred, with
it's fabulous beaches ... more » Bathurst Info |
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 Colchester: Lying on
the banks of the Sundays River, just 20 minutes’ drive from the coast of Port
Elizabeth, lies Colchester in a part of the country that remains largely unspoilt,
surrounded by sand dunes that date back about 100 000 years. Colchester residents are
proud of their history. The little ... more » Colchester Info |
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 Grahamstown: The charm
of the small cathedral city of Grahamstown owes much to history. Set in the heart of
Settler Country, outstanding examples of Georgian and Victorian architecture, more than 40
churches and several fine museums are among Grahamstowns attractions ... more » Grahamstown
Info |
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 Fort Beaufort: Surrounded
by spectacular mountain ranges, Fort Beaufort was established in 1822 to keep a check on
Xhosa tribes. Today, the town is the centre of a prosperous citrus farming area. The
Historical Museum, Military Museum and Martello Tower attest to Fort Beaufort's military
past. ... more » Fort Beaufort Info |
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 Hogsback: The little village of Hogsback
is situated in the foothills of The Three Hogs, which, with the adjacent Gaika's Kop, are
distinctive landmarks in the Amatola Mountain range. The tranquil and pure mountain
air is exhilarating, with forests, waterfalls and mist creating a truly unique setting and
...more » Hogsback
Info |
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 King
Williams Town: Considered one of the most interesting
towns to visit in the region, along with Grahamstown, King William’s Town began its
life on the banks of the Buffalo River as a mission station in 1834. About 50km west of East London, King William's Town is renowned for its beautiful
...more » King Williams Town info |
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 Kirkwood: The farming
community of Kirkwood, in the heart of the Sundays River Valley, close to the northern
regions of the Addo Elephant Park, would arguably remain in obscurity were it not for the
Kirkwood Wildlife Festival in June of every year. Now in its sixth year, the festival is a
highlight of the area and the ...more » Kirkwood Info |
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 Paterson: In the
foothills of the Zuurberg Mountains, bang in the middle of game reserve country, lies the
little village of Paterson - named after its founder, John Paterson. Not quite midway
between Shamwari and the Addo Elephant Park, you would be right to assume it an obvious
stopover for game ...more » Paterson Info |
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 The somewhat obscure little village of Nanaga scores by dint of the fact
that it is ideally placed on the South
African map. Not only is it virtually just outside the Greater Addo Elephant Park,
but it is also a short drive from the Sunshine
Coast and other malaria-free safari game reserves. Just where the ...more » Nanaga Info |
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 Riebeeck East: Riebeek
East is a village lost in time. The Afrikaner architectural influence is visible in
the houses and many of the inhabitants can trace their routes back to the original owners
of the homes. The village itself has tar roads, but all access roads are gravel, adding to
the distinctive ...more » Riebeeck East Info |
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 Zuurberg: Zuurberg lies
at the foot of the mountain of the same name. The historic Zuurberg Pass, almost entirely
surrounded by the Greater Addo National Park, is a narrow cutting through the Zuurberg
Mountains, built in the 1850s and the original main route into the hinterland ...more » Zuurberg Info |
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FRONTIER COUNTRY
ATTRACTIONS
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 Frontier Country is still the only place in
Africa where one can view the big five in an environment free of malaria, bilharzia and
other tropical diseases and in their natural habitat. The area now has nearly a million
hectares devoted to game. A range of public and private reserves span the area including
the famous Addo Elephant Park.
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 Addo Elephant Park: The Addo Elephant
National Park was established in 1931 to protect the last 11 wild elephants from
extermination. Today more than 350 elephants roam through this area. Addo Elephant
National Park offers the greatest elephant spectacle on earth. Excellent viewing of black
... Addo
Elephant Park |
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 Bushman Sands Game Reserve: Situated on
nearly 4000 hectares of former farmland, Bushman Sands game reserve offers malaria free
sightings of the Big Five game. Working with Shamwari's conservation team, Bushman Sands
have reintroduced indigenous animals to the reserve ... Bushman Sands Game
Reserve |
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 Shamwari Private Game Reserve: Shamwari Game Reserve is the Southernmost, Big Game, private
reserve in Africa - Malaraia Free. This ultimate African adventure stretches along the
Bushman's river, halfway between Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown, and forms a natural
extension to the ... Shamwari Game Reserve |
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 National Arts Festival: Africa's largest and most colorful
cultural event offers a choice of the very best of both indigenous and imported talent.
Every year for 11 days (end June to July) Grahamstown's population almost doubles, as over
50 000 people flock to the city for a feast of arts, crafts and ... Grahamstown
National Arts Festival |
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 Kirkwood’s annual wildlife festival developed around an auction of game
from the Addo Elephant National Park and other reserves has become a firm family favourite
because of the variety it offers. There is a special play area to keep the very young safe
and happy while the rest of the family enjoys the ... Kirkwood
Wildlife Festival |
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 Join a walk tour that spans thousands of years in The Valley of the Ancient
Voices. Discover the rock art, relics and artifacts as well as the history of a place that
has been used as a home, a refuge and a place of spiritual significance. 20 minutes from
Grahamstown and a ... Valley Of The
Ancient Voices » |
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 Hogsback Arts Festival: Sponsored by the
National Arts Council, Eastern Cape Provincial Arts & Culture Council and Hogsback
Chamber of Business, the Hogsback Arts Spring Festival presents a line-up of
multi-cultural events to bring to the mountain, people with wide interests and a ... Hogsback
Arts Festival |
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« Eastern Cape
Restaurants | South Africa Game
Reserves » |
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